(Kyiv, Ukraine) Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL), Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) and Co-Chairman Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), who are currently leading a Congressional delegation in Ukraine for the 16th Annual Session of the Organization for Security and Cooperation (OSCE) in Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly, issued the following statement on Congresswoman Hilda Solis’ (D-CA) electoral victory as Vice Chair of the General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions for the OSCE PA. This Committee is responsible for addressing humanitarian and human rights-related threats to security and serves as a forum for examining the potential for cooperation within these areas.

“We are elated by Congresswoman Solis’ victory today. Hilda’s two decades of public service is truly exemplified by her commitment to the guiding principles of the OSCE. In Congress, she has been a leader in the bipartisan Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues and is an outspoken advocate for issues of importance to women and families. Hilda has also continued to play a tremendous role on the OSCE PA forum on gender issues. We are honored to serve with Hilda on the U.S. Helsinki Commission and know that she will be an excellent representative of the United States in her new post,” said Hastings and Cardin.

The OSCE PA is the parliamentary dimension of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. The primary task of the 320 member Assembly, comprised of elected officials from the 56 OSCE participating States is to facilitate inter-parliamentary dialogue in an effort to meet the overall challenges of democracy throughout the OSCE region. Congresswoman Solis follows in the footsteps of Congressman Hastings, past President of the OSCE PA, Senator Cardin who is currently Vice President, and House Majority Leader Hoyer who is a past Vice President of the Assembly.

The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, is a U.S. Government agency that monitors progress in the implementation of the provisions of the 1975 Helsinki Accords. The Commission consists of nine members from the United States Senate, nine from the House of Representatives, and one member each from the Departments of State, Defense and Commerce.